Sesayia watched Kurt Vizsla's sharply defined features in the holographic projection, her heart involuntarily speeding up. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. This was the opportunity she had long awaited, and a matter concerning the entire nation.
"Duke Kote," Sesayia's voice carried a barely perceptible tremor, "I am Sesayia, the Second Princess of the Hapes Consortium. I apologize for contacting you in this manner, but Hapan is at a crossroads of destiny, and I firmly believe that Mandalore and you are our only hope."
Kote calmly scrutinized the beautiful alien princess. His gaze seemed to penetrate the holographic projection, reaching deep into her heart.
"Princess Sesayia, Visa has already briefly reported the situation. Tell me, why did you choose Mandalore? And why do you think I would be interested in the internal affairs of a closed cluster? Or rather, why are you so certain I will help you?"
"Because of mutual benefit, and because of ideology," Sesayia replied without hesitation.
"Although the Hapan Cluster is closed off, it possesses a unique strategic position and untapped resources. My mother and my sister only wish to maintain the status quo, treating men as servants and the state as personal property, refusing to progress alongside the Galaxy. This is not only a tragedy for Hapan but also a waste of resources."
She stepped forward, and the image became clearer.
"I have studied you, Lord Kote. What you lead Mandalore to pursue is not merely military strength, but an order—an order that allows people of different races and genders to coexist under glory. This aligns perfectly with my desire to break Hapan's antiquated shackles! The Trade Federation can only offer my sister more oppression and exploitation, but Mandalore and you can bring true change."
The light of idealism flickered in Sesayia's eyes.
Kote nodded. That was indeed correct. She truly had researched him, though her understanding was not comprehensive; she did not grasp the deepest layers of his plans. Nevertheless, this was enough to show that Princess Sesayia was an intelligent person. This was not treason; it was simply choosing a better Dao.
She stepped forward, her gaze intense.
"Regarding concrete promises, I can sign a formal Alliance. The Hapan Cluster will join the Outer Rim Alliance led by Mandalore, open all Spaceports and trade routes, and share our unique biological technology and hyperspace lane data. We possess the safe routes for crossing that nebula, which the outside world does not know. Our military can accept Mandalore's reorganization and command."
"As for myself..." A blush reappeared on her face, but her tone was firm. "I am willing to become the link between Mandalore and Hapan, whether as an ally, or... as a partner in marriage." Sesayia's voice became softer as she finished.
Everyone who heard these words was stunned. This was more than just cooperation; it was essentially packaging herself and her entire nation and offering them to Kote.
Kote also fell silent. This was indeed an extremely beneficial arrangement for both Mandalore and Vadir, but the current timing was awkward. It was now 25 BBY; the separatist wave was about to sweep across the entire Galaxy, and doing such a thing right under the Republic's nose was quite dangerous.
But this proposal was too tempting. This was the collective allegiance of multiple star systems, the loyalty of a future queen of a government.
"If what you say is true, Princess Sesayia, Mandalore will be your most crucial backing and will help you ascend to power. But after the matter is settled, do not regret your choice." Kote finally made his decision. Resisting for this long was already a miracle; he had wanted to agree much earlier.
"As for marriage, I apologize, but if you are truly doing this for the people of Hapan, then demonstrate your capability. We can discuss marriage only when I can see the extent of your abilities."
Sesayia smiled bitterly.
"I understand. But this is my great gamble: betting that you are a leader worth following, and betting that Mandalore's ideology can bring rebirth to Hapan."
As she spoke, her gaze sharpened.
"Now, I have received intelligence that my sister and the Trade Federation plan to stage a coup and seize control of the palace tomorrow. I have run out of time."
"Tomorrow?" Kote frowned. This was something he was completely unaware of, and there were no Vadir troops nearby in the Inner Rim that he could mobilize.
"Yes, tomorrow. They discussed some matters that were overheard by my people, but the messenger managed to relay the news before he died."
The night in Taa Chume City was not as peaceful as it seemed on the surface.
Deep within the palace, after learning that a servant had eavesdropped and potentially leaked information, First Princess Taa Chume quickly dealt with the informant, but the unease in her heart persisted. She knew her sister Sesayia was not one to be content with the status quo, and if Sesayia became alerted, things would become difficult.
"General Dourde!" She contacted the Trade Federation Commander again, her tone urgent. "We may have been exposed! Sesayia must be dealt with immediately!"
Dourde, on the other end of the communication, frowned, but the plan did indeed need to be moved up.
"Understood, Your Highness. I will immediately dispatch a squad of bd-3000 deluxe droids to locate and eliminate the Second Princess. Please provide her exact location and ensure the palace guards do not interfere with our operation."
"She might be in her chambers now, or she might be at the Spaceport!" First Princess Taa Chume did not know her sister's exact location either.
"The Spaceport?" A hint of worry flashed in Dourde's eyes.
"It seems the Mandalorians are destined to become our stumbling block. Do not worry, Your Highness, whether she is at the palace or the Spaceport, after tonight, Princess Sesayia will cease to exist."
Dourde spoke with absolute certainty, but inwardly he was still debating whether he should take people directly to kill the Mandalorians aboard the herculean-class transport ship. After all, the longer they stayed, the more likely problems would arise.
If Governor Gunray found out, he would surely be sent to the mines immediately, perhaps never to recover!
Immediately, a group of B1s began disembarking from Dourde's ship and headed toward the veronia. The surrounding Hapan people continued their work as if they hadn't seen the scene. If you ask why they were working at night, the answer is obvious: shift work.
At this moment, Kote and the people on the ship were still discussing how to proceed, but the final decision was: "Do not stay there any longer. We don't know who the Trade Federation has sent to carry out this operation, but whoever it is, he won't let you return alive. So take the Second Princess Your Highness to Vadir immediately. When we come back, we will fight under the name of the Second Princess." Kote urged them to leave quickly; staying meant waiting for death.
However, just then, the radar showed a significant number of droids approaching.
"The droids are here! Start the ship immediately!" Visa shouted frantically. They absolutely could not let the droids lock down the ship, or they would truly be unable to escape.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Is anyone there? Please open the door." The simple-minded voice of a B1 came from outside the hatch.
"We'll handle them." Several crew members, wearing their armor, immediately opened the hatch and fired their Westar-35 blaster rifles directly at the heads of the B1s.
"Oh dear! Hurry and lock down their ship!" One of the B1s quickly shouted toward the console area.
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